Sunday, February 29, 2004

Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul

God came down and lived in this same world as a man.
He showed us how to live in this world, subject to its vicissitudes
and necessities, that we might be changed-not into an angel or a
storybook princess, not wafted into another world, but changed into saints in this world.
The secret is Christ in me,
no me in a different set of circumstances.
-Elisabeth Elliot


"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you,"
Is 66:13



O what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget;
After I'd wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met.
O what a tender, compassionate friend, He met the need of my heart;
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.

Chorus
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, (filled my soul)
When at the cross the Savior made me whole; (made me whole)
My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! (filled my soul)
-John W. Petersen

Being changed,
Donna

Saturday, February 28, 2004

30 Hour Famine



Our 14 year old daughter, Emma is participating in World Vision's 30 hour famine today. She started yesterday at 9:30am...and will get to eat again at 3:30 this afternoon. Fifteen teens from her youth group are participating this year. They do not eat in order to raise money for starving children and to empathize a bit with their suffering.
I will go over and help feed the teens at 4:00. They are fortunate to have lots of food to eat...after they have fasted!
Emma was able to raise $180.00 this year! She made her goal! (She has very generous Aunties and friends.)

"For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink;
I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
naked, and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you visited Me;
I was in prison, and you came to Me.

Then the righteous will answer Him saying,
Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You,
or thirsty, and give You drink?....

And the King will answer and say to them,
Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers
of Mine, even the least of them,

you did it to Me."

-Matthew 25:35-40

Amen,
Donna

Just a little more about the movies...

I sure had fun reading the comments yesterday. Thanks!

Over at Summa Mamas lives a gal named Smockmama...she has seen every movie on the long list of Oscar Winners I posted yesterday and she now has a little side-blog dedicated to The Movies. She has posted her picks for this year...check it out at;

http://popcorn.stblogs.org/archives/013029.html

A bit later today I will post her sites at my sidebar. Smart and funny...my favorite combo!

_____________

When I asked which movie would you like to be in, Tam wondered if I meant 'to act in'...
Well, I do not have one acting bone in my body...no interest in acting at all! But of course I understand there are many who dream of such a thing...

My job in the movie industry would be something entirely behind the scenes...
Do you want to know what my dream job would be?

I want to pick the music that is played in the background. The Soundtrack. Not the score...the Soundtrack! Who is the lucky guy who gets this job?

So a few more questions...

What job would you like in the movie industry?
Who is your all time favorite Actor?
Who is your all time favorite Actress?
What director do you want to work for?




Good guys CAN finish first :o)

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, February 27, 2004

Let's talk Movies

So with the Academy Awards just around the corner I have movies on the brain. But guess what?
I have not seen ONE of the movies that are nominated this year! I, of course, know all about them...just didn't get out to see them!

I still love the Oscars though. The dresses...the speeches....the host...

Looking over the list of winners ( at Oscars.com) I noticed that in the last 27 years I have only missed 3 1/2 movies. The 1/2 is Gladiator...it was too violent and I stopped watching.

Guess the other three...hint....They were all Big films and recent.

Here is a list of the Academy Award Best Picture since 1976. (Why 27 years you ask? I had to include Rocky!)

1976 Rocky 1977 Annie Hall 1978 Deer Hunter1979 Kramer vs. Kramer 1980 Ordinary People 1981 Chariots of Fire 1982 Gandhi1983 Terms of Endearment1984 Amadeus1985 Out of Africa1986 Platoon 1987 The Last Emperor1988 Rain Man1989 Driving Miss Daisy1990 Dances with Wolves1991 Silence of the Lambs1992 Unforgiven1993 Shindler's List1994 Forrest Gump1995 Braveheart 1996 The English Patient1997 Titanic1998 Shakespeare in Love1999 American Beauty2000 Gladiator2001 A Beautiful Mind 2002 Chicago

Now here's where you come in....

What are your top Oscar winning films from the last 27 years?

What Oscar winner would you like to have been in?

What Oscar winner is most like your life?

What Oscar winner is least like your life?

List three you haven't seen.

List you most detested Oscar winner.

_____________

In looking over this list I find the choices of winners very interesting. Notice that the comedies and romantic comedies are MIA. I would consider Rocky, Annie Hall and Shakespeare in Love to be the only three that fit in the romantic comedy category.
Guess I am just a cinematic sillyheart!

Have fun! Looking forward to reading your answers.



I'll be wearing this on Sunday :o)

Your Cinematic Sillyheart,
Donna








Thursday, February 26, 2004

I lift up my heart.

"O Thou Creator of all things that are,
I lift up my heart in gratitude to Thee
for this days happiness:

For the mere joy of living:
For all the sights and sounds around me:
For the sweet peace of the country and the pleasant bustle of the town.
For all things bright and beautiful and gay:
For friendship and good company:
For work to perform and the skill and strength to perform it:
For a time to play when the day's work was done,
and for health and a glad heart to enjoy it.

Yet let me never think, O eternal Father, that I am here to stay.
Let me still remember that I am a stranger and pilgrim on the earth...

I thank Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast so set eternity within my heart
that no earthly thing can ever satisfy me wholly...

And above all I thank Thee for the sure hope and promise
of an endless life which Thou hast given me in the glorious gospel
of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen."

-Prayer by John Baille from A Dairy of Private Prayer.

____________

How easy it is to forget that life on this earth is temporary. That the life we live here is not the reward.
I love life...Eternity is so hard to even imagine. But it is a promise I believe in.

There have also been days when I have pleaded with God to "Take me now" and to "Come back soon."

Very rare these days are...Yes, very rare...

Sometimes when I watch the news I am reminded that I am a "stranger and pilgrim on the earth."

" Thou hast so set eternity within my heart
that no earthly thing can ever satisfy me wholly..."

Slowly...I learn and learn again how 'no earthly thing can satisfy me wholly.'

The Lord is my Shepard!

_____________




Which of course brings me to...The Jerk...

" Navin R. Johnson: Well I'm gonna to go then. And I don't need any of this. I don't need this stuff, and I don't need you. I don't need anything except this...

[picks up an ashtray]

and that's it and that's the only thing I need, is this. I don't need this or this. Just this ashtray.

And this paddle game, the ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need.

And this remote control. The ashtray, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need.

And these matches. The ashtray, and these matches, and the remote control and the paddle ball.

And this lamp. The ashtray, this paddle game and the remote control and the lamp and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one - I need this. The paddle game, and the chair, and the remote control, and the matches, for sure.

And this. And that's all I need. The ashtray, the remote control, the paddle game, this magazine and the chair."

Too funny:o)

For the mere joy of living,
Donna













Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Why the Ashes?


Putting ashes on our heads as a form of penitence is a practice inherited from Jewish tradition. In Old Testament times, fast days expressed sorrow for sins and the desire to make atonement to the Father. Ashes, for Jews and Christians alike, are a sign of repentance, sorrow, and mourning. The King of Nineveh believed the prophecy of Jonah and fasted forty days wearing sackcloth and sitting in ashes to save the city, and ordered the people to do so, too [Jonah 3:4-10]. Jeremiah calls Israel to "wallow in ashes" of repentance [Jeremiah 6:26]. Abraham speaks of being unworthy to speak with God because he is "but dust and ashes" [Gen 2:7] -- being man, he is created from dust. Jesus also refers to this symbol in Matthew 11:21, "Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes."

The ashes imposed on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday are a reminder of our unworthiness and sinfulness,­ sinfulness that corrupts and stains us and leads to death (we return to the dust from whence we came.) Ashes remind us of our original sin and our need of redemption, our need to be cleansed of sin and made worthy of Salvation. This is why the priest says, as he imposes ashes on our foreheads, "Remember, man, that you are dust and to dust you will return" [Genesis 3:19] or Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel. [Mark 1:15]

Thanks to http://www.wf-f.org/LentSeason.html for the information.
What an interesting and excellent explanation.

_____________

I am looking forward to hearing how The Passion does tonight.

Here is a link to a review by Roger Ebert

I don't always agree with him...but he *knows* the movies.

http://www.suntimes.com/index/ebert.html

_______________

Here is a recipie for a delicious dinner.

At 7:00 am put a pork roast in a crock pot. (mine was frozen)
Cook on high all day.
One hour before serving, add a whole bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce.
(I went to Damon's to get my husband's favorite)

Serve on a bun.

Chips, fries, apple sauce, cottage cheese....

The easiest most delicious meal...in my humble opinion ;o)



Encourage one another,
Donna








Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Book Review



"Once upon a time there was a little baby named Stellaluna. And she was two years old. One day she growed up, as a big bat, when she ate the juciest fruit of all, that her mom found. The end."
Katie, 4 years old

Although this book has been around for a while, it was new to us. Great Science....very gentle tone.
Perfect for a four year old.

We also like


by Dick King-Smith (author of Babe)

Which brings me to...

Narrator: And though every single human in the stands or in the commentary boxes was at a complete loss for words, the man who in his life had uttered fewer words than any of them knew exactly what to say.
Farmer Hoggett: That'll do, pig. That'll do.

The best Talking Animal movie ever :o) I usually hate talking amimals...I love Babe.

My favorite scene in the movie is when Farmer Hoggett dances to cheer Babe. (Watching Anyone dance just cheers me up for some reason)

"If I had words to make a day for you,
I'd sing you a morning golden and new.
I would make this day last for all time,
Give you a night deep with moonshine."

Of course this song (and dance) does heal Babe's hurt feelings...wouldn't it heal yours :o)

Sing and dance with someone today.
Donna










Monday, February 23, 2004

Shining As Stars


14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ...
Phil 2:14

One of my News Years resolutions was to stop complaining. Making this a priority has been such a positive effort for me. It seems when I stop talking and thinking about my woes...the good comes floating up to the surface.

When those negative thoughts come to mind, I am more quickly able to Cast them Upon God, where they belong anyway, and proceed with a calm and thankful heart.

Trusting God, I think, must come first though.. Because if I do not believe that God has my best interest at heart and that He loves me, I can not truly Caste my Cares. Where would I be casting them...out into the big empty blue....

"O Lord, whose way is perfect, help us, we pray, always to trust in Your goodness, that walking with You and following You in all simplicity, we may possess quiet and contented minds and may cast all our care on You, who cares for us."
-Christina Rossetti

Have you ever heard that Fear is the opposite of Trust? Or Fear is the absence of Trust...

Don't know where I heard it...probably Elisabeth Elliot :o)

_______________
The Cutest Things



Who knew you could knit and felt darling little stuffed animals?



I just want to buy them!

www.fibertrends.com

___________

Who wants to be a Super Millionaire

I would have won $500,000 last night. IF I had won the fastest finger contest, which I didn't. And IF I were at the show, which I wasn't. :o) Ah, one can only dream....
I like the two new lifelines...I like to play this game...I like to win big in the comfort of our family room :o)

Four more nights this week and then they will do it again some other time. Smart move! I hope it does well. Regis is such a good guy :o)

Well....I came up with a blog afterall...can you imagine I didn't think I had anything to talk about*wink*

Encourage one another,
Donna


Sunday, February 22, 2004

Psalm 100

1: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands!
2: Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
3: Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!
5: For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.



Don't you just love the Psalms?

Encourage one another,
Donna

Saturday, February 21, 2004

I couldn't resist...
Woodstock
You are Woodstock!


Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Sorels...



and Uggs





Tiddley-Pom



One kind word can warm three winter months.
-Japanese Proverb

Snow
The fenceposts wear marshmallow hats
On a snowy day;
Bushes in their night gowns
Are kneeling down to pray-
And all the trees have silver skirts
And want to dance away.
-Dorothy Aldis


The more it
GOES-tiddely-pom
The more it
GOES-tiddely-pom
On
Snowing.
A. A. Milne

_____________

Any Questions?

What is your favorite winter activity?

What is your favorite hot drink?

Hat or No hat?

Sorrels or Uggs?

What is your favorite soup? Recipe please?

______________

Day-Time Moon
In the morning
When the sun
Is shining down
On every one,
It's very strange
To see the moon,
Large and like
A pale balloon,
Drifting over
Roof and tree
Without one star
For company...
-Dorothy Aldis

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, February 20, 2004

24 Carrot

I was so blessed to spend time yesterday on my quick trip up North with three of "the quilters".
We met for a quick lunch at Burger King. But it turned into a quilting bee! It was great!

I brought my booja bag and socks, A. brought an origami purse she made out of brown and rose flannel, M. brought her felted bag, i-cord, a darling heart quilt, a toothbrush for Katie and a toothpaste squeezer for each of us...K. brought the cutest Muffy fabric that she know I would love and want.

It wasn't planned...we just *had* to share!
We are long time friends and although it has been over a year and a half since we have all been together,
it was like riding a bike.

But better than that!

Such love and laughter and familiarity! *big sigh*

It took a long time to make those friends up North. Once you are out of college it seems difficult to make strong friends. At least if was for me...and I am real friendly :o)

But I chalk it up to God's timing and that He will give me the friends He wants me to have.

He was right!

So now I am in a new town...three years here in Southern Wisconsin...the friendships are few but growing...because of my past experience I am content to wait. The friend's God picks out for me are Gold!

OK all you Girlscouts, sing along;

Make new friends, but keep the old
One is silver and the other's gold.

________




Marla (from Sweden and Texas) left me the kindest note the other day...she said, "You were born to blog, my dear." Well that was the sweetest thing to say...I will accept the compliment and not argue. I know I was born to talk and I *do* love to share...
But really, I am trying to figure out how to incorporate the Bruce Springsteen Album cover into an image of a middle aged woman typing...in her jammies...with a Diet Dr. Pepper :o)

I suppose this calls for Crissy and her photoshop!!!

_________

My sock is giving me fits!!!

Here is an excellent site; http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/socks.html



You see, I didn't know the proper terms. It helps to know what heel turn and gussets are :o)

_________

One last thing....Thank you for your commets! It is the highlight of my blogging day :o)

My husbands asks when he comes home from work,

P: How was the blog today?
Me: I got five comments!
P: Wow!

The excitement never ends around here :o)

Encourage one another. You sure encourage me!
Donna






Thursday, February 19, 2004

Mile-a-Minute-Donna

I will be taking Emma to Winter Camp today.
They will play in to snow, pray together, talk, sing and giggle... a lot.



I wll be on the road for about eight hours. Would you say a quick prayer for us?
_________

I will be working on my quiet and gentle spirit....I am not at my best behind the wheel....the inner Mario Andretti comes out...."I must make good time"...."No I am not stopping to go to the bathroom"...."We will be there in 46 minutes.".....

My poor kids! They see their mother transformed right in front of their eyes from docile knitter/homebody to Speed Racer!

Alright, I'm convinced....I'm gonna do much better today. Not one sigh, not one grumble, not one beep.

I'm sure I will still make excellent time....and my kids will feel less stressed!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Isn't that the coolest picture? I found it at Art.com



Wednesday, February 18, 2004

For those of us who like quizzes...


You are ELIJAH!
Which Old Testament Character are you?

brought to you by Quizilla


I want to be beautiful, patient Esther or the long suffering, faithful Joseph...Ah Well...
____________

Samantha, over at The Home Realm sent me a little book (Can you believe how sweet and thoughtful that was....) called A Diary of Private Prayerby John Baillie. The author Worships with his prayers...really Worships.

"Dear Father, take this day's life into Thine own keeping. Control all my thoughts and feelings. Direct all my energies. Instruct my mind. Sustain my will. Take my hands and make them skilful to serve Thee. Take my feet and make them swift to do Thy bidding. Take my eyes and keep them fixed upon Thine everlasting beauty. Take my mouth and make it eloquent in testimony to Thy love. Make this day a day of obedience, a day of spiritual joy and peace. Make this day's work a little part of the work of the Kingdom of my Lord Christ, in whose name these prayers are said. Amen."

This type of prayer points the way to a life of peace and joy. It helps me remember where my eyes should be...who I am living for. For some this type of prayer is overwhelming...for me it is an encouragement. I am not prone to self criticism or perfection. I don't fret over the fact that I will fall short in so many ways today. I figure every step closer to God is a good one...I'm not going to worry about my shortcomings.

Amazing Grace...how sweet the sound...


Absolutely.

Encourage one another,
Donna


Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Oh What a tangled web we weave...

Lots of folks are knitting socks...so last night I ran to our friendly local yarn shoppe to buy yarn and needles to make a pair for myself. This I should be able to do without a problem. I have been knitting for 35 years....but I have never knit with such tiny little double pointed needles. My family looked on with pity as I tried to knit with these little sticks. "Those look like chopsticks." said dear hubby. "They are not as big as chopsticks," thought I.

So I will suck it up...work up my courage...get these nimble fingers going and press on.

I think I can...I think I can....I think I can



I will also be reading this article a little bit later today. It looks helpful.
Techniques with Theresa at Knitty.com
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer03/FEATtheresa.html

_____________

A few gems from Carmon's at Buried Treasure

In discussing Jane Austen and Prairie Muffins, Carmon comes to this conclusion.

"Prairie Muffins need to be that "still point in a turning world," and show the turning world that the stability we offer with our quiet and faithful obedience to God is the lasting solution to the turmoil around us. We can also be inspired and encouraged by Jane Austen's lasting influence on the world, though she didn't venture far from home or draw attention to herself. May we have the wisdom to use our creativity to God's glory in the wide spaces He gives us to dwell."

I like how she said that! Click on Buried Treasure if you'd like to read more about it.

______________

Carmon also spoke a book called The Decline and Fall of practically Everybody by Will Cuppy a week or so ago. I was able to pick it up yesterday at the library and it is quite an amusing history book.

This is what Cuppy says about Elizabeth I;

"Queen Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. She resembled her father in some respects, although she beheaded no husbands. As she had no husbands, she was compelled to behead outsiders."

And about the Huns,

"Huns were horrid-looking creatures. They flattened their noses with boards and bandages and scarred their faces in youth so that they wouldn't have to shave. In the time saved from shaving they could be flattening their noses. Sometimes male and femal Huns would fall in love and get married, and everybody wondered what they saw in each other."

If you like this type of humor...this is the history book for you!
___________

I loved the Mel Gibson interview last night with Diane Sawyer. Didn't love Diane and her snotty way of questioning...but I loved Mel's answers!

___________

And now for something completely different....

Why is it when someone else prepares the food....it always tastes a little better? When we were kids we would make sandwiches for each other (Sister Sue and I) because we thought this to be true :o)

Yesterday I had lunch with a friend...she made a simple salad. It was delish!

Encourage one another,
Donna

I think I can....I think I can....I think I can....














Monday, February 16, 2004




Feed the Birds
I want to be the little old bird woman. I have long delighted in birds. I know their names and can recognize many of their songs. My boys would tease me about my enthusiasm as I would spot unique birds while driving them to school. "Oh, look at the Sand Hill Cranes!." Me, slowing down...pulling over...""Look at all those turkeys!" They think this is funny, but I guarantee they will remember it, and say these things to their children. I know this is true because I remember our mother calling out the same sorts of things, "Children, look at the ducks in the pool!." or "The geese, the geese, do you hear them?"

So I am attempting this winter to feed the birds. I got a late start...think I might have missed the 'birds knowing there is food over here ' window of opportunity. But we have a nice spot to place our birdfeeder(the best spot we have ever had) and I filled the feeder with Safflower seeds. I don't think they like them very much.

Here is where you come in :o) We have Cardinals, Chickadees and Sparrows in the winter. Is there a food they all like to eat? Is it better to have a few feeders rather than just one?

Let me know what works at your home. Thanks.



Last spring...this odd little bird was poking around in our backyard, for over an hour. There was still a thin layer of snow on the ground and it was walking around and around poking it's freakishly long beak into the soggy ground. Must have been having great success because it stayed so long. Emma, Katie and I watched with interest and then we ran to figure out what kind of bird it was. Immediately I thought of a sandpiper...but here in Southern Wisconsin that seemed unlikely. After a little searching we found that this bird was a Common Snipe. It turns out that they *do* live here in Wi. but are very shy and are usually hiding in brush.

I hope it comes back again this Spring....along with those melodious Robins.

My list of birds that I have spotted is getting longer every year! Last year I spotted my first Owl and the Common Snipe.

Let me encourage you to start keeping a list. A family list....or a separate list for each person. This is my kind of science. Real life, everyday science.

Longing to feed the birds,
Donna











Sunday, February 15, 2004





Let nothing disturb you,
Nothing affright you;
All things are passing;
God never changes;
Patient endurance
Attaineth to all things;
Who God possesses
In nothing is wanting;
God alone suffices.

-Motto of Teresa of Avila


Encourage one another,
Donna

Saturday, February 14, 2004

Baby Boom



"Doctor, I'm so lonely"
Diane Keaton to Sam Shepherd in the Vets office as she mistakes him for a MD and bares her soul.
What a cute movie!
"Nunc scio quit sit amor."



"When my life is through
and the angels ask me to recall
the thrill of it all.

Then I will tell them I remember, tell them I remember,
tell them I remember...you."

-Johnny Mercer, sung by Frank Ifield 1962
One of mom and dad's favorites.

_________

My favorite Shakespeare quote...for today;

Come, gentle night;--come, loving, black-brow'd night,
Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night,
And pay no worship to the garish sun.—

Romeo and Juliet
Act III Scene 2

_____________


Here is one from the movies...I am not going to tell. Can anyone guess what movie this comes from?

"Nothing can keep us apart. Our love will last 'til the stars turn cold."

Try to stay away from the movie quote sites :o)
I'll post the answer tonight if no one has guessed yet.

As you wish,
Donna


"Nunc scio quit sit amor."
Lat., "Now I know what love is."
-Virgil

Will you be mine, PB?

Friday, February 13, 2004

I like to watch.
In the world of homeschoolers and thinkers and doers...I am the black sheep.
I really like to watch....television. I am one of the lost masses who sits and stares at the boob tube.
It is my background noise. It is my entertainment.

I don't feel badly about it, until I read how awful it is to watch television.

Yet, I am not moved....I like to watch.

My favorite shows are...

Regis and Kelly....they make me laugh
Jeopardy....daily game playing with paper and pen...
Oprah...except when she is being too serious and preachy
Friends, The Bachelorette, The Apprentice, Nick and Jessica The Newlyweds, Road Show, Baby Story, All My Children, Designer's Challenge, and on and on...

My family likes to watch too. What a surprise!

Law and Order, Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Law and Order, 24, football, golf, basketball...Law and Order.

George Shrinks, Dragon Tales, Dora and Aladdin.



That's it.....my skeleton.

Where's the clicker?
Donna





Thursday, February 12, 2004

Everybody Hurts





Sometimes at night I fall asleep in the middle of my prayers...then throughout the night, when I wake up, I continue to pray. There is so much suffering, my prayer list is long. I know I am not alone with my prayers.

"13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
-James 5: 13-16

Kolbi wonders how God's Will and our fervent prayers work together. Good question. I don't have the answer to that one and I chalk it up to "God's ways are not our ways."

Verse 15 is certainly speaking of healing the sick
But could verse 16 be speaking our OUR hearts? Could the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much...in our own hearts. As prayer changes us and we are conformed to the image of Christ.

Christ was always looking to and communing with His Father in Heaven.

______

Here is a portion of an email I read yesterday. The letter is from a college student in Spain to a High School senior in Wisconsin. Chad is in a coma.

Chad- I went to the biggest cathedral I could find and prayed for you today, so I know God heard me. Keep on fighting bud.
-E.

Prayer changes us.

Comfort

Here are Hannah Whitall Smith's words about comfort;

Why are we not comforted?
The remedy for this is plain. If we want to be comforted, we must make up or minds to believe every single solitary word of comfort God has ever spoken;
and we must refuse utterly to listen to any words of discomfort spoken by our own hearts,
or by our circumstances.
-The God of All Comfort


Comfort one another,
Donna




Wednesday, February 11, 2004

The Empire State Building all decked out for Westminster


If I lived in New York I would be delighted by the lighting of the Empire State building.
I don't know why...it just tickles my fancy :o)


" Oh, it's nobody's fault but my own! I was looking up...it was the nearest thing to heaven! You were there... "
-Terry Mckay, An Affair to Remember


"A movie! That's your problem! You don't want to be in love. You want to be in love in a movie."
-Becky, Sleepless in Seattle


Ahh...Movies to Remember,

___________

Katie received a valentine from a little girl at gymnastics yesterday. It is so precious to her..this morning when we were exercising (a.k.a. dancing to Shania) she asked, "Can I dance with my valentine?"

That's what I like about little ones. They find happiness in such small things.

Encourage one another,
Donna











Tuesday, February 10, 2004

I present to you...my first quiz!

You are Mohair
You are Mohair.
You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with
others, doing your share without being too
weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely
refuse to change your position once it is set,
but that's okay since you are good at covering
up your mistakes.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Just a little harmless fun :o)
Donna
That time of year.


The Westminster dog show is on this week. It started last night and is on again tonight. It is a wonderful show to watch if you are interested in a dog at all. The announcer explains all about the breed standard and talks about each dogs temperament. These doggies are the creme de la creme...they put on a pretty show.

And for this girl with the 'dream' of a dog...it is heavenly.

____________

Konkadoo's first poll

Home Mommy Poll!

Do you have "big" hair?
No, just long hair.

Do you dye your hair? (Be honest!)
No. I've always wanted to be a blonde tho.

If so, when will you stop doing either of those above?
I just might start :o)

Do you ever do your nails?
no...and I have such strong nails...it's really a shame.

Have you ever had a professional pedicure?
Yes! At Camelback Inn a few year back. I LOVED it.

Nose piercing: Icky or beautiful?
Icky....boogies

Tongue?
I think these are just the worst. Hate em even more than tats.

Make up or natural?
natural...just mascara usually

_____________

Those dogs are more pampered than I, by far!!!
I guess I have taken this verse to heart....can you take a verse too far?

"And let not your adornment be merely external-
braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry,
or putting on dresses;
but let it be the hidden person of the heart,
with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is precious in the sight of God."
-1 Peter 3:3

The verse does say 'merely'...which means we should take 'some' care of our outsides :o)
but much better care of our hearts.

Encourage one another,
Donna


Monday, February 09, 2004

Special Guest Blog

A few weeks back I mentioned that I was going to a young mother's Bible Study. It has been going very well. I can see God's hand at work in this situation already :o)

A gal named Jane asked (in my blog comments section) if I would post my talk. Well, I didn't give a talk. But my sister Janet has shared with me a talk she gave at church about being a Titus 2 woman and the role of a mother. Janet said I could post it. Enjoy her gentleness and wisdom.




Titus 2:3-5 "The older women likewise, that they be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- that they admonish the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

What does it mean in Titus when it says to love their children? Does it mean a natural love? Does it mean we give them things they want? That we provide for their needs? Loving children does not only involve the natural feeling of your heart, it involves teaching, caring, nurturing and disciplining. Sometimes it seems natural and easy, and some days are just plain HARD WORK!

I would like to focus on six important ways we can love our children.

1. TEACH THEM ABOUT GOD. Duet. 6:6-8. "And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart: and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up." These verses are commands of the Lord. They are not suggestions. We are to be teaching our children all the time. It is not the churches responsibility and it is not the schools responsibility to teach our children.

There will be times of formal teaching, like during family devotions. You should teach them to read the scriptures, teach them about sin and its consequences, tell them of the Lord Jesus Christ and His work for our salvation and tell them of the work of the Holy Spirit. But like Duet. says we should be teaching them continually. I will take time to talk to them while we are driving in the car or if we see a disobedient child in the grocery store I will teach to that and praise their behavior. Bedtime is a special time and very often our children will open up to Dave or I and it will be a great time of teaching right before they fall off to sleep.

J. C. Ryle, in his book, The Duties of Parents, says, "we are to think of their souls often. This is the thought that should be uppermost on your mind." What could be more important than the soul of your child? The time is short! A parent who loves his children will train them for heaven.



2. TEACH THEM TO PRAY. Loving our children means teaching Godly behaviors and habits. Prayer can be taught extremely early. Our one-year-old can fold her hands and say "men". She is learning at an early age that prayer is important to our family and we are to give thanks for all things. Ryle says, "prayer is the simplest means that man can use in coming to God. It is within reach of all, all can pray. Parents, if you love your children, do all that lies in your power to trains them up in the habit of prayer." Show them how to begin and tell them what to say.


3. PRAY FOR THEM. Elizabeth George in her book, A Women's High Calling, puts it simply "love prays". Are you, am I, a praying mother? Monica was a praying mother. One of her children was Augustine, St. Augustine, a wayward son who became a man of fiery temper and immoral habits. He spurned the Christian teachings of his mother, choosing to move deeply into sin. Nevertheless, Augustine's saintly mother patiently persevered in prayer for her debauched son. Augustine even left his mother behind and went to Rome without her. Her persistent prayers were answered when at 33 years old Augustine trusted Christ. Monica prayed for 33 years. Would you pray for 33 years if your child were wayward, cruel, demeaning and corrupt? Remember, love prays.


4. TRAIN THEM UNTO OBEDIENCE. Ryle says "train them in the way they should go and not in the way they would." Our children, yes our precious babies, are born depraved. Proverbs 22:15 "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child" We must train our children to obey what the scriptures teach; to obey God and to obey your Father and Mother. Ryle continues "Parents, determine to make your children obey you, though it may cost you much trouble, and cost you many tears. Let there be no questioning and reasoning, and disputing and delaying, and answering again. When you give them a command, let them see plainly that you will have it done. Cheerfully, willingly and at once".
The training must start very early and it must be consistent and firm. Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it". Our ultimate goal in training our children is for them to develop the inner discipline that allows them to do what is right when no one it watching, Eph. 6:6 "doing the will of God from their hearts" and glorifying God with their lives.


5. BE A GODLY EXAMPLE OF LOVE. All of the instruction thus far will not mean much unless it is backed up with our Godly actions. Our children watch us closely and they are always smarter than you think. Ryle states "Imitation is a far stronger principle with children than memory. What they see has a much stronger affect on their minds than what they are told." Obviously they must be told but they must also see it lived out in the lives of their parents. Be an example of the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
We must show them how to forgive others by forgiving them when necessary and we must teach them about confession of sin by confessing our sin to God and them when we sin against them. Work hard at these things and ask God to help you be a Godly example to your children. With God's grace they will see God in your life and desire His holy ways.


6. BE TENDER, AFFECTIONATE AND PATIENT. Psalm 127:3-5. "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate."
Children truly are blessings, so sweet, so dear to us. Let your children see that you only want what's best for them. That you do all things, even discipline them because you love them.
Enjoy you children. I get a lot of advice when I am out, and most of it is bad, however the advice I hear often from older ladies is to enjoy your children now because before you know it they'll be gone, it goes so quickly. I am thankful for that advice and I do heed it.
Play with your children, hug them, be silly with them, and talk to them. Get to know how each child needs to be loved. Each child's love needs will be slightly different. One child may like hugs; another may like little gifts, yet another appreciates notes of love and encouragement. Study your children, figure out how to love each one and work hard to do those special things.

Just as it is written in Titus, older women are to teach the younger women to love their children. I hope I have given you biblical and practical ways you can love your children. Remember you are older than someone, whether it is a sister, a neighbor, or perhaps a new believer. Please encourage them to love their children. And remember our ultimate goal in loving our children should be to honor the word of God.

-Janet Walworth is the devoted wife of Dave, and loving mother of FIVE darling, bright, busy children, all 11 and under. She loves the Lord and enjoys serving Him.

____________

Don't you think she needs her own blog :o)

Thank you, Janet, for letting me share your wise words with the blog-sistahs.

Encourage one another,
Janet and her big sister Donna




Sunday, February 08, 2004

For Betty






Aunt Betty was visiting our home in Elmhurst the night the Beatles were on The Ed Sullivan Show 40 year ago today!
I remember her being so excited to see them! She had to watch on a little black and white TV in the basement.
I was seven and the twins were not even born yet. That was a long time ago....

____________

There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain

All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Though I remember I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I’ll love you more

In my life I’ll love you more
-The Beatles

Yah, Yah, Yah,
Donna


How about one of these?



I never wear a hat...but this cute felted hat appeals to me.




These cotton dishcloths are easy and quick to make. They would be nice for our own homes, gifts or even for the missionary closets.
_______________

Check out Chicknits at my side bar for the bucket hat.

For the pattern for the dish cloth. go here; http://www.jimsyldesign.com/~dishbout/kpatterns/knitting2.html

Also see Carmen's Buried Treasure site for a great article about working with your hands.

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands...." 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Encourage one another,
Donna






Saturday, February 07, 2004

Saturday Sillys

Here is an old Friday Five....share YOUR answers with me!!

1. What's your favorite vacation spot?
Maui, Hawaii

2. Where would your least favorite vacation spot be?
Siberia

3. What would be your dream vacation?
Grand Tour of Europe

4. If you could go on a road-trip with anyone, who would it be and why?
My family...cause they are fun to be with :o)

5. What are your plans for this weekend?
Hang out with Jean in Wi, go to bookstores, attend WW meeting, go to church.




Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, February 06, 2004

The not so Quiet Life





Here is the newest addition the our household. Emma is the proud owner of a Laney Amp. It is good and loud! She is thrilled.

I now listen for the guitar parts in the music I hear..this is new and different, but fun. I want Emma to learn to play China Grove by the Doobie Brothers. Good and loud :o)

"Little by little, one travels far."
-J.R.R. Tolkien

How cool is this?






I have never had a vanity license plate. But you can go and play around and make your own at the following fun and free site.

http://www.acme.com/licensemaker/

The Windex Story

Do you remember the Windex jokes from My Big Fat Greek Wedding?

Well, I am a bit reluctant to let you in on a family secret. I was a very silly girl when I was young. One might say foolish :o)
While cleaning a mirror one morning I decided that Windex would make a very good astringent. If if made windows clean and shiny...it ought to make my face clean and shiny. And it didn't smell that different from Stridex! So I wiped some Windex on my cheeks and a pimple here and there....and all I came away with was very dry, red cheeks.

I was a bit embarrassed by my experiment and never told anyone I tried this...UNTIL The Movie came out and the Windex was used for blemishes!

I am even Greeker than I thought! :o)


Encourage one another,
Donna


Thursday, February 05, 2004

Seven Fresh Attitudes

I'd like to condense and share a list I found in Phillip Keller's little book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.

"Jesus never made light of the cost involved in following Him. In fact He made it painfully clear that it was a rugged life of rigid self-denial. It entailed a whole new set of attitudes. It was not the natural, normal way a person would ordinarily live and this is what made the price so prohibitive to most people."

1. Instead of loving myself most I am willing to love Christ best and others more than myself.

2. Instead of being one of the crowd I am willing to be singled out, set apart from the gang.

3. Instead of insisting on my rights I am willing to forego them in favor of others.

4. Instead of being "boss" I am willing to be at the bottom of the heap.

5. Instead of finding fault with life and always asking "Why?" I am willing to accept every circumstance of life in an attitude of gratitude.

6. Instead of exercising and asserting my will, I learn to cooperate with His wishes and comply with His will.

7. Instead of choosing my own way I am willing to choose to follow in Christ's way:simply to do what He asks me to do.

"God wants us all to move on with Him. He wants us to walk with Him. He wants it not only for our welfare but for the benefit of others as well as His own dear reputation."


I think God is using being a wife and mother to teach me 'fresh attitude #2 and #3. Suffering has taught and continues to teach me #5,#6,and #7. Numbers one and four continue to challenge me the most.
_________________

As a parent, I am very aware of molding my children's character. But I am now even more aware that it is my character that is in need of molding.

Motherhood is my potter's wheel.

I wish I would have been in better shape (lump of clay-wise) when I started mothering/wife-ing.

I, however am being taught with life's experiences....and that is probably true for most of us.

Hopefully, I can do a little teaching and molding of my children's characters at home, before they get out
there in the big world and have to learn this the 'hard' way.






Encourage one another...we need it :o)
Donna



Wednesday, February 04, 2004

The Hellenization of our Family






Hellenize, v. To make Greek in character, culture, or civilization

I am only 1/4 Greek. Our family was Hellenized like the entire world was Hellenized in ancient times.
The Greek culture took over. And I would say I feel 3/4 Greek. Once I started learning about the Ancient Greeks as a homeschooler (hey, I am being homeschooled just like my kids!) I realized we were Hellenized.

The Greek customs were on going. We celebrated Greek Easter. There was a whole lamb on the table at Aunt Dorothy's house. (It even had an apple in it's mouth) We tapped our dark red eggs against one another to see whose egg was the strongest. There were Greek picnics and Greek parades (our sister was even on a float) .

Bread, we learn in A Day in Old Athens, is the main source of food in Ancient Greece. Our family owned a bakery.

The Greeks love the country. This love for the country is present in their writings,
Aristophanes writes in The Clouds,

"A country life for me-dirty, untrimmed, lolling around at ease, and just abounding in bees and sheep and oil cake."

W. S. Davis writes in A Day in Old Athens

"In the country the lads can enjoy themselves; the wife and the daughters can roam about freely with delightful absence of convention. There will be no happier day in the year than when the master says, "Let us set out for the farm."

Our Grandfather had a farm outside of Chicago...for this very reason I suspect.

____________

Then came My big Fat Greek Wedding....

And it was all up on the screen for us to see...That looked like our family....but we had Jimmys...not Nickys :o)

Our brother-in-law who is not Greek saw the movie and said, "That was my life." when he met our sister.

So imagine my delight as I read and learn more about the ancient Greeks...I see our family culture...it is all clear. The Greeks had a way of taking over. (Look at the buildings in Washington DC )

They took over our family, and it was interesting and fun and the food was delicious :o)

___________

1/2 Danish

The Danes have a much less pushy culture :o)
We ate amazing sandwiches. Pickled Herring was a treat for the adults. And I learned to knit from my dear Danish grandmother, Julia.

My grandmother told me that they learned handwork in school in Denmark. It was a regular class. She made a beautiful tablecloth I remember seeing...I'll bet Aunt Betty remembers it.

Our Danish grandfather had the dream of a farm too...I've been told...

And the only other thing I remember about this much quieter culture was my grandmother saved her girls long braids in a tissue in the closet. I imagine it was a tradition to grow the girls hair long and then get their first haircut in one big snip. I'm not sure. I always wanted to look at those braids when I was little.

________________

I love the long look back. I love to see the similarities.

Of course, I'll take the 'good parts' and leave the rest behind. :o)

Encourage one another...talk about family's cultural history with your children....it will give them wonderful memories,
Donna











Tuesday, February 03, 2004

You're my knight in shining armor

Yesterday, Tam left a comment that has me thinking. She spoke of her husband...

"The lack of integrity and self-respect in the working world is a constant source of grief for him. When lying is not only common but "usual and expected" business practice, a Godly man becomes a nuisance and an obstacle very quickly."

It is a difficult world out there for our husbands. In ways I know I am not aware of. It looks like they need encouragement too.

Elizabeth George has an lovely way of explaining our role as wives in her book Beautiful in God's Eyes.

"God's beautiful Proverbs 31 woman was the sparkling jewel in her husband's life! She brought the love, the color, the joy, the life, and the energy to the home. Yes, life was bleak in Israel, and every day life focused on just surviving in that dry, rugged land,...In fact, with God's beautiful woman beside him, he possessed treasure untold."
p. 24

Did you ever think of your role as a wife like that? I never did.
I would like to be that sparkly jewel in my home. It's possible, I know, with a teachable heart...
_____________
Here is my husband and I in a few years.






"You're my knight in shining armor, and don't you forget it. You're gonna get back on that horse, and I'm going to be right behind you."--Ethel to Norman

"I don't like horses."--Norman

On Golden Pond is the most lovely picture of a husband and wife I have ever seen in the movies.
I just saw parts of it again yesterday on television...everything Norman say is so funny. Ethel perfectly loves and understands her cranky husband. She is the love, joy, color and energy in her home.
It's great!
__________________

Here is something from Elisabeth Elliot on the subject;

For Our Husbands

Lord, grant me the vision of a true lover
as I look at _______.
Help me to see him through Your eyes,
to read the thoughts he does not
put into words, to bear with his human
imperfections, remembering that he bears with mine
and that You are at work in both of us.

Thank You, Lord, for this man,
Your carefully chosen gift to me,
and for the high privilege of being heirs together
of the grace of life. Help me to make it as easy
and pleasant as I possibly can for him to do
Your will.



Encourage one another,
Donna


Monday, February 02, 2004

I know I'm preaching to the choir here...





The popular culture in our country is in the dumper...I am grieved that the Superbowl Half-time show represents the mainstream American. Yuck. I don't mind the loud music or weird outfits...but the flag is not to be worn as clothing and clothing is to be worn in public.

So there...

My son, were he here, would say, "Mom, what do you expect...it's only going to get worse."
He sees things so clearly. Because there is sin in the world...our world will exhibit sinfulness.

What's a mother to do?

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and
gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as
a fragrant aroma.
But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed
even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
and there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse
jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
-Ephesians 5: 1-4

Here is a little encouragement;

And let us not lose heart in doing good,
for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.
Galatians 6:9


____________

I belong in the 1950's...the 'good parts version' of the 1950's...the Happy Days version :o)

Encourage one another,
Donna





Sunday, February 01, 2004








I just had to share this photo.

db:o)

Winter-Time





Etching by Susan Hunt-Wulkowicz
Susan Hunt-Wulkowicz is a Wisconsin artist who attends the Madison Art Fair on the Square every July. Her etchings are so intricate that she hangs a little magnifying glass beside her artwork.
Learn more about her and see more of her artwork at www.huntwulk.com

"The cold wind burns my face, and blows
Its frosty pepper up my nose.

Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding-cake."
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Encourage one another and bundle up,
Donna